Full Breakdown
Chemical Tank Implosion at Longview Pulp Mill Leaves Workers Missing and Injured
5/27/2026, 4:26:56 AM
Incident Overview
On May 26 2026 at about 7:15 a.m., an 80,000-gallon tank (some reports cite 900,000 gallons) containing “white liquor” – a sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide solution used in paper processing – ruptured and imploded at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. plant in Longview, Washington. The explosion created a mass-casualty scene, prompting decontamination and transport of patients to hospitals in Longview, Vancouver and Portland.
Facility Profile
Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. operates a pulp-and-paper mill and liquid-packaging plant on the Columbia River. Established in 1953, the facility employs roughly 1,000 workers and supplies paper for tissues, printing, cups, plates and cartons.
Timeline
- 07:15 a.m.: Tank ruptures, white liquor spills into a drainage ditch.
- 07:19 a.m.: Hazardous-materials incident reported.
- 07:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: ~40 firefighters, paramedics and a hazmat team decontaminate victims.
- 12:30 p.m.: Joint statement confirms fatalities and critical injuries.
- Evening: Recovery continues; tank remains unstable.
Casualties & Response
Nine patients arrived at local hospitals; one was deceased. Eight workers suffered burns or inhalation injuries ranging from minor to critical, and a firefighter was treated and released. Nine employees remain missing. Approximately 40 firefighters, paramedics and a regional hazmat unit responded, and the tank was about 60 % full at the time.
Official Statements
Chief Scott Goldstein said life-safety concerns dominate while the cause remains under investigation. Battalion Chief Mike Gorsuch called the incident a “mass casualty scene.” Governor Bob Ferguson deployed the state Ecology Department to assess environmental effects. Senator Patty Murray described the event an “absolute tragedy.” Ecology spokesperson Brittny Goodsell confirmed white liquor entered a drainage ditch.
On-the-Ground Observations
Witnesses saw metal poles displaced and a van crushed by debris. Families waited at the plant’s visitor entrance for information as police tape cordoned the area.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on tank size (80,000 gallons vs. 900,000 gallons) and on the number of missing persons (nine versus an undisclosed figure). The cause of the implosion remains undetermined and official fatality counts have not been finalized.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We're dealing with life safety concerns and incident stabilization at this point,” — Scott Goldstein, Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue Chief
- “My heart is with everyone who lost a loved one today — as well as the injured workers,” — Patty Murray, U.S. Senator
- “mass casualty scene.” — Mike Gorsuch, Battalion Chief, Longview Fire Department
- “ "Currently, the tank remains unstable, creating hazardous conditions for emergency personnel.” — Longview Fire Department written statement
Next Steps
State ecology teams are monitoring water quality downstream. The fire department will reinforce the tank before resuming full recovery. Investigations by local, state and federal agencies will determine the technical cause and examine regulatory implications.
